IND vs SA 2022 | Dale Steyn told me I would receive an India call-up after IPL, says Umran Malik

Speed will take you places, which holds true for Umran Malik, the latest pace sensation of Indian cricket. His sheer speed, coupled with 22 wickets in the 2022 season of Indian Premier League (IPL), saw the paceman receive his first-ever T20 India call-up in the upcoming series against South Africa. 

Malik, who was with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), worked in tandem with their bowling mentor Dale Steyn.

The 22-year-old was seen bowling in the Indian nets at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, ahead of the first T20I against the Proteas. He spent some quality time talking with head coach Rahul Dravid and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey.

The tearaway speedster, in an interview with the BCCI, sounded extremely pleased about being a part of the Indian squad and having sessions with Dravid and Mhambrey.

"I was very happy to meet and talk with Rahul sir. He is such a legend of the game. He just told me to keep continuing what I do. Paras sir was also standing behind me and he was guiding me after every ball. It was giving me a lot of confidence," Malik expressed.

The Jammu bowler also revealed what Steyn told him when he was selected for the Indian side to play against the latter's country.

"When I got selected for India, Dale sir (Steyn) was with me in the team bus. We were going for the match. Everyone congratulated me and Dale sir said, 'I told you before the IPL that you will get the India call-up after the season'," he said. 

"And that's exactly what happened, by the grace of god. My goal is to give my best for Team India now," Malik concluded.

Dravid has also talked about Umran's inclusion and said that he was impressive during the nets.

"Watching Umran in the nets even yesterday, he has got that pace. He is a young boy who is learning all the time. He is getting better and improving all the time. The more games he is able to play, the better he is going to get," the Indian head coach told reporters.